How much do you tip?

[sanantone]

Why does everyone blame the customers and call them cheap, but not that restaurant owner who pays them pennies to serve, (while also expecting the waiters to clean, fill salt/pepper shakers,etc at less than minimum wage). If everyone stopped tipping, then people would stop wanting to be waiters, which will cause restaurant owners to actually pay their employees an actual wage. An employee at McDonalds does just as much work (save walking to tables) and doesn't get paid tips.

I have lived in Europe the last three years and tips are not expected. I even had one guy get insulted when I offered. The food is the same price at the states if not sometimes less. Dining out is a social experience and the customer has the table as long as they desire even if they are not eating (reservations are a must). I have maybe experienced a rude waiter once while in Europe, but encountered many rude waiters in the states (and they still expect 18% for their lousy service).

It's some strange cultural thing. I can tell you that fast food workers do more work. They have to cook, clean, and take orders. Granted, the duties are often split up so you either just have to cook and clean or take orders, clean, and restock; but, you still have a lot more duties than a waiter. If a fast food restaurant can afford to pay its employees minimum wage with its low prices, then a more expensive restaurant can afford to pay its servers minimum wage without even having to pass down the cost to the consumer in the bill.

5 bucks tip for valet parking is way too generous at a restaurant imo. And please don't tip dry cleaners, they're just happy that you chose them to clean your clothes. We live in such a tip happy society, it just boggles my mind sometimes. I had a friend who was winning money playing black jack in Las Vegas and he kept tipping the dealer 5-10 bucks everytime he won a hand. He ended up losing a lot of money in the end with the same dealer. He felt so STUPID giving her probably at least 200-300 bucks. Who ends up buying the rest of his meals for his stupidity? ME!!!

My biggest pet peeve at restaurants is this new trend of putting tip jars on the counter. They expect people who are picking up take out orders to tip the cashier! Why should I tip the cashier for bagging and ringing up my order? I'm taking my food home. They don't have to wait on me or clean up after me.